New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has intensified its probe into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 examination paper leak case, arresting two more individuals linked to the conspiracy and taking the total number of accused in custody to 13.
According to investigators, one of the newly arrested accused, Dr Manoj Shirure, is a doctor based in Latur. Officials allege that he played a crucial role in arranging access to leaked Chemistry examination questions for three students, including the son of a coaching institute owner already under investigation in the case.
The CBI claims the Chemistry paper was sourced through another accused, P V Kulkarni, who is suspected to be part of the wider network involved in circulating confidential exam material before the test.
The second accused arrested by the agency has been identified as Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, a Physics faculty member associated with Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy in Pune.
Investigators alleged that Shah obtained leaked Physics questions from another accused, Manisha Havaldar, who had previously been arrested in connection with the case.
Officials said the investigation is currently focused on uncovering the full chain of communication, identifying beneficiaries and determining how the leaked papers were circulated among candidates and coaching networks.
As part of the ongoing probe, the CBI has carried out searches at 49 locations across multiple cities. During these operations, the agency reportedly seized several electronic devices and documents, including laptops and mobile phones believed to contain evidence related to the leak.
Forensic and technical analysis of the recovered material is now underway to trace financial transactions, communication records and possible links between accused persons operating in different states.
The NEET-UG paper leak controversy has sparked widespread concern over the integrity of competitive examinations in the country, prompting demands for stricter safeguards and stronger monitoring systems in the examination process.
